On Friday, President Joe Biden is expected to deliver a historic formal apology for the United States’ role in the Indian boarding school system, a policy that profoundly harmed generations of Indigenous children and their communities. The apology will come during Biden’s first diplomatic visit to a tribal nation, where he will be joined by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American to hold that position.
The U.S. Indian boarding school system, which forcibly removed at least 18,000 Indigenous children from their families to assimilate them into Western culture, was part of a broader government effort to strip Indigenous communities of their land, culture, and identity. Haaland, who launched an investigation into the boarding school era shortly after taking office, has been a driving force behind the push for an apology. The investigation uncovered nearly 1,000 deaths and 74 gravesites across more than 500 schools, underscoring the devastating impact of the boarding school system.
Historical Significance
While many Indigenous leaders, such as Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., have welcomed the apology as a significant moment of recognition, it is only a first step in addressing the long-lasting effects of the boarding school era. Hoskin emphasized that thousands of Cherokee children attended these schools, and their traumatic experiences continue to affect the community today. He expressed hope that Biden’s apology will lead to continued efforts to support Indigenous communities.
Deb Haaland, whose own grandparents were forced to attend a boarding school, has played a crucial role in making the apology a reality. She described the upcoming moment as one of the “high points” of her life. Haaland’s investigation included listening sessions with survivors and resulted in a report that recommended formal acknowledgment and apology for the atrocities committed during the boarding school era.
A Global Comparison
While this moment is historic, the U.S. lags behind other countries that have similarly grappled with their colonial pasts. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have all issued formal apologies and implemented truth and reconciliation processes in recent years. In Canada, for example, an apology from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2017 was followed by substantial financial commitments to Indigenous communities.
The U.S. has yet to establish a similar truth and reconciliation commission, though a bill introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren in 2023 to create such a process remains in the Senate. Experts like Melissa Nobles, Chancellor of MIT, argue that apologies like Biden’s have significant value as they acknowledge survivors’ experiences and validate the historical record.
Next Steps
The Department of Interior continues its work with tribal nations to repatriate the remains of children who died at boarding schools, many of whom are still buried on federal lands. However, there are ongoing challenges, such as disagreements between tribal nations and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the return of remains from Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania.
As Indigenous leaders express gratitude for the apology, there is also a call for action to ensure meaningful change follows this recognition of past wrongs. Hoskin and other tribal leaders stress that this apology must be followed by concrete steps, including policy changes and support for Indigenous communities, to fully reckon with the legacy of the boarding school system.
Conclusion
President Biden’s apology marks a profound moment in the country’s reckoning with its treatment of Indigenous peoples. As survivors and their descendants await this historic acknowledgment, it remains clear that the journey toward healing is just beginning, and continued action is essential.
